Scott Vanscoy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Matt McCarthy takes over the reins of the Greenfield Wildcats (18-10) this season. He brings with him three years of previous coaching experience and is looking forward to coaching these opportunistic Wildcats.
“This program is going to look a little different this year,” said McCarthy. “We have a lot of new beginnings. A lot of different opportunities have opened up; playing time, the head coach is new, and being without a conference is definitely something new for this program.”
Returning to the starting lineup is the guard duo of Bailey Baker and Daunte Stafford.
Baker, a senior, averaged 7.6 points per game, 3.3 rebounds and 3 assists last season and will be counted on to up those totals while being forced to grow as a ball handler. Coach McCarthy will be leaning on Baker to be a leader this season as he has the most experience on this team.
“He is going to be asked to step up into some major roles,” said McCarthy.
Junior guard Daunte Stafford (8.0 ppg, 3.6 rbs, 2.5 ast) will be looking to surprise some people this year.
“Last year his true abilities did not always shine because there were other great scorers and playmakers ahead of him,” said McCarthy. “Now that some students have graduated, Daunte is going to be able to step up and fill some of those big roles from past players.”
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The Wildcats return three seniors and three juniors as letter winners to the roster this season. The returning seniors are Trenton Wilson (3.8 ppg, 1 rbs, .4 ast), Brandon Matthews (0.4 ppg, 0.6 rbs) and Jacob Vankam (0.8 ppg, 0.2 rbs). Of the senior letter winners, Wilson has the most varsity experience and he has the ability to stretch the floor as he can hit the outside shot. McCarthy will be looking for some leadership from him, as well. Matthews is a big guy but can knock down a shot when it is needed. Vankam has not had much varsity experience and is still learning the game.
The junior letter winners all lack varsity experience but will be forced into new opportunities as they unfold. The three guards are: Levi Matthews, Quin Morrow and Blade Welch all will be unknown factors as the season opens with their roles still being defined.
Senior Nico Murray joins the team this season. Murray has not played high school basketball yet but he is very knowledgeable of the game and is eager to learn.
“He is going to be someone that will surprise some people in the post just because of great positioning, footwork, and his quick feet,” said McCarthy.
Junior Caden Sims, a transfer from Clever, played JV last season because of eligibility guidelines. Sims has a chance to play big minutes for the Wildcats. He has good size, plays the post well but can also play the guard position. He may be out for a while, though, because an injury he suffered playing football.
“Our goal for this year is just to compete every single time we touch the floor in practice and in games,” said McCarthy. “Our goal is to be playing our best basketball at the right time and hopefully get over the district hump that these guys have been in the last few years.”
The Wildcats will face adversity and will be forced to learn how to play as a team. Greenfield may get off to a slow start this season because football runs over into basketball season and with a new coach there will be new things and terminology to learn.
“I think overall this year we have a good chance to do some great things,” said McCarthy. “I am looking forward to get the ball rolling and go out and see how my guys compete every single night.”
